The 2012 Czech Rugby League 1st Division Championship kicked-off with a rematch between last year’s grand finalists, Pardubice Jets and Lokomotiva Beroun, and an historic win for the Prague-based Vikings club, which hosted Vrchlabi Mad Squirrels. In a rematch between the 2011 Grand Finalists,

Lokomotiva Beroun hosted the 2012 Minor & Major Premiers, Pardubice Jets, & came away with a 38-30 victory. Czech international Jan Buben dominated proceedings, scoring five tries, ably supported by the Sluka brothers, Jan and Jiri, and Petr Dobrmysl. In the second match of the day, the re-branded Prague Vikings recorded an historic first ever Czech Championship win for any Prague-based club, with an emphatic 42-14 win over a disappointing Vrchlabi Mad Squirrels. The Vikings opened the scoring in only the 4th minute of the match with a sweeping backline movement that reflected their approach for the rest of the game.

Prague President, Tomas Ripcsik, was happy with the result, declaring it an important stepping stone in the club’s growth. “This was a satisfying opening to our season”, he said. “The 2012 Czech rugby league season is something of a new beginning for the Prague club, with a host of new players and cooperation with Leeds Rhinos set in place, and we are focused on improving with every match on the field, and generating the sort of club ethos that makes people want to become a part of our journey. The match today was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who participated, and the win was merely the icing on the cake.”

Lokomotiva Beroun 38 (Buben 5, Smotek 2, Zitek tries; Buben, Smotek, Zitek goals) Pardubice Jets 30 (Řičica 2, Leeuw, Novak, Mabunda, Rejda tries; Leeuw, Řičica, Chikambwi goals) Prague Vikings 42 (Henry 2, Farrell 2, Meads 2, Bradley, McGuire tries; Henry 3, Farrell, Latham goals) Vrchlabi Mad Squirrels 14 (Mejznar 2, Trcka 1 tries; Zirkler 1 goal).